Burlington Street Bridge project secures $23 million in BUILD grant funding

The City of Iowa City has been awarded more than $23 million in federal funding for the Burlington Street Bridge - Building Better Connections Project.

The $23,481,600 award comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. According to the USDOT, $1.73 billion in grant funding has been awarded to 127 projects across the United States and its territories.

The estimated total cost of the project - not including Iowa River dam improvements - is estimated at $57,005,000. This is a joint project between the City, University of Iowa, and Iowa Department of Transportation.

"We're grateful to the USDOT for recognizing the importance of this crucial replacement of the Burlington Street Bridges over the Iowa River," said City of Iowa City Public Works Director Ron Knoche. "This is a vital project that will improve the safety of the bridge and enhance mobility for the thousands of local, regional, and state motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who use the bridge every day."

The City of Iowa City was informed of the award by Senator Chuck Grassley on Monday, July 7, 2026.

About the project

Once completed, the Burlington Street Bridge - Building Better Connections Project will:

• Replace the Burlington Street east and westbound bridges with a single bridge.

• Provide roadway and geometric improvements to Burlington Street, Grand Avenue, Melrose Avenue, and Byington Road, including the conversion of Melrose Avenue and Byington Road to accommodate two-way traffic.

• Assess ways to improve the bridge and adjacent roadways to better accommodate vehicle, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic.

• Evaluate pedestrian connections and repair or replacement of the pedestrian bridges over Riverside Drive and Grand Avenue.

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